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Tribune-Review sports section, writers again honored with Associated Press Sports Editors award

The Tribune-Review was once again was recognized as one of the top sports sections in the nation.

The Trib was selected as one of the top 10 daily and Sunday sports sections in its circulation category by a national panel of judges with the Associated Press Sports Editors.

Results of the 2021 APSE Section Contest were announced last week.

It is the second straight year the Trib was recognized in the daily and Sunday categories.

In addition, the Tribune-Review’s high school football preview edition received an honorable mention in the special section category.

“Our sports department is without a doubt one of the best in the country,” said Luis Fabregas, executive editor of Trib Total Media. “They work long, tireless hours to tell some of the most popular stories on our website and news pages. They make it look easy, but it is not. I am proud of their hard work and dedication.”

Three of the Trib’s reporters also were recognized by APSE.

Tim Benz is a top-10 finalist in the breaking news category for his coverage of Robert Morris hockey, as well as the long feature category for his story about Robert Morris women’s hockey player Chace Sperling, who nearly had her leg amputated but recovered to return to the ice.

Benz was an APSE first-place finisher last year in the long feature category for his profile of Christian Montano, a Steelers rookie lineman who saved a stranger’s life with a bone marrow donation.

Seth Rorabaugh is a top-10 finalist in beat reporting for his work covering the Pittsburgh Penguins.

And Mark Madden is a top 10 finalist in column writing for the second straight year.

“When we’re watching the Steelers on Sunday, these writers and columnists are out there finding a way to capture the stories behind the final score,” Fabregas said. “And that’s probably what readers like the most — the different viewpoints and opinions, even when we don’t quite agree with them.”

Judges for the section contest look at the newspaper’s overall body of work, including coverage of various levels of sports and different forms of writing, ranging from game coverage, commentary, features, profiles and advance content to enterprise and trend stories.

“These awards are a testament to the hard work displayed by so many people, from the writers and photographers to the editors and page designers,” sports editor Bill Hartlep said. “We strive to provide Trib readers with the best possible coverage of the area’s professional, college and high school sports teams, both in print and online.

“I appreciate the work that our staff produces each day, and it’s great to see the judges also recognize that.”